What is the best way to put the broken pot back together?

[bonhe]

Hi all,
My sensei gave me a Chinese antique broken unglazed round pot (it was broken into 6 large pieces). I am planning to put them back together! What is the best way to do that? Thanks.
Bonhe

 

[Poink88]

I had one with a crack (due to mail handling) and I used crazy glue from inside (thin and thick) and it worked well. Have not used the pot yet to really test it though.

On broken/separated ones...I was advised to use gorilla glue (IIRC by someone knowledgeable with pots at IBC) but haven't tried that yet. Good luck with it!

 

[frozenlarch]

+1 on the Gorilla Glue.
Lightly wet the edges of the pot, keep a close eye on it, and wipe away any seepage before it hardens. The stuff expands quite a bit, so use small amounts.

 

[Anthony]

Bonhe,

the most permanent way is to have a potter apply a frit [ glass paste ] mixed with say crazy glue and then fire it.
The glass will act as a glue and bond the clay back together permanently.

The firing needs to be only high enough to melt the frit and will not harm the pot.

As usual, if this is new to the potter, smash a test subject first. Do not experiment on your pot-okay.

We do this on pots down here, the repair can almost be invisilbe if properly done.

Too much trouble, epoxy will also do the job, and you can colour to match the exterior of the pot. But in use the epoxy can fail, as crazy glue does about 5 to 6 years down the road when in use.
Not using, only for decoration, crazy glue should last indefinitely.
Good Morning.
Anthony

 

[jk_lewis]

1. Make certain you have all the pieces (including chips).
2. Be certain they all are 100% clean.
3. Fit the pieces together without gule a few times to be certain you've got 1 and 2 right and know which goes where and in what order.
4. Coat ALL of both edges of both pieces to be glued with Super/Crazy glue and fit together precisely. Hold briefly until set.
5. In 10 minutes do another piece . . . etc. . . . etc.
You may need acetone to clean leakage around the edges on outside of pot.

Lots of luck. That's a lot of pottery to put back together. Remember "All the Kings horses and all the King's men . . ."

 

[Poink88]

+1 on the Gorilla Glue.
Lightly wet the edges of the pot, keep a close eye on it, and wipe away any seepage before it hardens. The stuff expands quite a bit, so use small amounts.

On GG, please note that expansion/foaming is proportionate to the amount of moisture the glue gets. Breathing (same as you would do to fog up a glass) on the edge of the pieces to be glued should be sufficient and make the strongest bond. Foam fills voids but weaker. Just FYI.

 

[tmmason10]

Gold. It's been done in Japan and its just cool.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I think the bigger question is why did your sensei give you a broken pot

 

[Anthony]

Folks,

I apologise if I come off like a snob, and I really should have said this first.

If the item is a genuine antique [ normally over 100 years old ] you first call a museum and ask for Restoration, they in turn may suggest an appraisal and then a suitable professional to restore the item.

If it is worth it, and often restoring antiques costs, you let a professional restore the item.
Good Day.
Anthony

 

[Bill S]

Someone recently had a post re a broken pot with staples to reinforce the repair, there was no trying to hide it. I am thinking that it may have been Peter tea, and he is into pots, give him a email Question, I bet he'd help out.

 

[Klytus]

Maybe a natural glue,slime from Hagfishes or similar.

 

[bonhe]

Thanks for all responses!

I think the bigger question is why did your sensei give you a broken pot

I don't know! However, he used to give me a lot of trees which are invaluable, I think!
Bonhe

 

[Julius Tristan]

Hi all,
My sensei gave me a Chinese antique broken unglazed round pot (it was broken into 6 large pieces). I am planning to put them back together! What is the best way to do that? Thanks.
Bonhe

You have to clean first the pot, then you have to make a good pieces. and most importantly, you have to contain the cleanliness of the pot.

 

[ABCarve]

Kintsugi

You can try the gold fill method. Traditionally used natural lacquer and gold leaf. Today it seems they are using modern adhesives in conjunction with the gold. Google Kintsugi.

 

[bonhe]

Thanks for all responses! I just bought Gorilla Epoxy and copper powder! I'm planning mix them together when I find the time.
Bonhe

 

[lakesidepottery]

Repairing pottery lessons on-line

Lakeside Pottery Restoration Studio has several on-line tutorials that cen be found in the link below.

Pottery and Ceramic Repair Tutorials

Also see some before and after pictures




Kindly, Patty and Morty

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I was about to provide a link to Lakeside pottery, but you beat me to it.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

If it's a very valuable pot, I'd try to go the kintsugi route.

 

[discusmike]

Good info.

 

[carobone]

Bonhe,

Would love to see the pot once you've put it back together.

Thanks